GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley High School was host to a Flavored Tobacco Town Hall Meeting, presented by the youth group Si Se Puede in partnership with the California Health Collaborative, Butte County Office of Education, Butte County Health Department and other collaborating agencies.

The evening featured a very detailed presentation by the group Si Se Puede, Spanish for “yes we can”, comprised of youth leaders from Gridley High School whose mission it has become to educate their peers, parents and the community on the dangers of flavored tobacco products.

The presentation centered around teen vaping and the elevated quantities of nicotine introduced into a person’s system when vaping in comparison to use traditional cigarettes or tobacco products. Also discussed was the alleged targeting of youth and minority groups by big tobacco companies through the use of candy or culturally based flavored products that entice youth and others to start vaping.

Each member of the Si Se Puede team spoke to the group, referencing a very informative slide presentation, after which a brief intermission was held.

The group returned to present a list of questions to a professional panel made of the following: Esther Craig - California Health Collaborative and Si Se Puede Program Coordinator, Rikki-Lee Burresch - Gridley High School Principal, Jennifer Swanstrom - Butte County Public Health and Public Health Specialist, Monique Osborne – Butte County Office of Education and Prevention Coordinator, Shelly Brantley – RISE and Director of the Statewide Rural Coordinating Center, and Lisa Beletsis – Orchard Hospital Nurse Practitioner.

Each of the professional on the panel took the time to address questions from the youth leaders of Si Se Puede and audience, speaking on a range of topics such as what warning signs to look for if someone you know is addicted to vaping, the associated health risks of vaping, and school resources available here in Gridley for students looking to quit or for parents to access.

For more information on the dangers of flavored tobacco, contact Si Se Puede Program Coordinator Esther Craig at [email protected]. For information on local school resources on how to quit or additional support, reach out to your schools administration.